Impact on mortality of a community-based programme to control acute lower respiratory tract infections* V. Fauveau,1 M. K. Stewart,2 J. Chakraborty,3 & S. A. Khan4 Acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRIs) are a major cause of death among young children in developing countries. A targeted programme designed to tFeat children with ALRI was implemented in 1988 in a primary health care project in rural Bangladesh. In the 2 years preceding the introduction of the programme (1986-87), non-ALRI-specific health services were provided, including promotion of oral rehydration therapy, family planning, immunization of children and mothers, distribution of vitamin A, referral of severely sick children to field clinics, and nutritional rehabilitation of malnourished children. The targeted ALRI programme, which was in place in 1988-89, was based on systematic ALRI case detection and management by community health workers, who were linked to a referral system for medical support. These two levels of intervention have been evaluated by comparing the ALRIspecific mortality in the programme area and a neighbouring control area during the two periods. During the first phase (1986-87), the ALRI mortality among under-5-year-olds was 28% lower in the intervention than in the comparison area (P

Impact on mortality of a community-based programme to control acute lower respiratory tract infections.

Acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRIs) are a major cause of death among young children in developing countries. A targeted programme designe...
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